Summary:

Governor Hochul will not remove indicted Mayor Adams from office but will implement "guardrails"
New guardrails include a Special Inspector General for NYC to monitor corruption investigations
City officials will gain power to sue the federal government independently
Adams faces charges of accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and benefits
The Trump administration attempted to drop the charges against Adams, raising concerns about a potential quid pro quo

NYC Mayor Adams Indicted: Hochul's Plan to Keep Him in Office

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will not remove indicted Mayor Eric Adams from office, but will implement "guardrails" to ensure accountability and restore public trust. This decision follows Adams' indictment on corruption charges, alleging he accepted over $100,000 in illegal campaign donations and benefits.

Hochul's plan includes:

A new Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs: This independent office will monitor corruption investigations and have the authority to direct investigations within city government. The Mayor will not be able to remove the NYC Commissioner of Investigation without approval from the State Inspector General.
Empowering City Leaders: Citywide elected officials (Comptroller, Council, and Public Advocate) will be given explicit authority to file lawsuits against the federal government, if necessary.
Expanded City Oversight: Increased funding for the Office of the Deputy State Comptroller for City Oversight to enhance monitoring of city finances.

Adams responded by stating his commitment to working with Hochul and ensuring public trust, despite the lack of a legal basis for limiting his office’s authority.

The Trump administration's recent request to drop the charges against Adams has raised concerns, prompting the resignation of the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The accusations involve a potential quid pro quo exchange between Adams and the DOJ in exchange for cooperation with the administration's immigration policy. A federal judge must still approve the motion to dismiss the charges against Adams.

Hochul's "guardrails" require legislative approval but would be implemented immediately upon passage. This unprecedented move seeks to address the ongoing corruption allegations while maintaining the stability of city government.

Source: Deadline